As a country with the world's second largest economy, it is hard to imagine that poverty is still prevalent in some underdeveloped regions. The rich and poor gap has been under the spotlight again after a mother of four axed and poisoned her children to death after her family was allegedly denied their low-income allowance.

Yang Gailan, a 28-year-old mother from Northwest China's Gansu Province, killed her four children on August 26 with an axe, and killed herself by drinking pesticide. Li Keying, Yang's husband, also took poison on September 6 after burying his children.

Yang and her family lived in the village of Agushan in Kangle county, and were one of the poorest families there. According to media reports, half of the villagers lived below the poverty line.

Yang's motive remains unclear. The family had been denied the government low-income allowance as the village committee said their annual per person income surpassed the benchmark 2,300 yuan ($343) poverty line.

Some netizens said it was the feeling of desperation and helplessness that killed Yang and her family. Many said they suspect corruption in the allowance distribution.

The Shanghai TV said Yang's father Yang Manshan and her grandmother Yan Lanfang told its reporter they didn't bribe the village cadres, so the village canceled their "low-income family" status.

The report could not be immediately confirmed.

Does poverty kill? Is suicidal the only way to escape? Although it is too early to draw a conclusion, I think the case of Yang, like those who struggle with poverty in China as "ants in a prosperous age" , should be the put on the government's priority. What should the government do to address the yawning gap between rich and poor? How to make people enjoy the fruits of development and live a dignified life?